The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), local sport governing body has prioritized the use of the national stadium over the annual music concert.
The Soul Fill Up festival has paved way for the inaugural edition of Botswana Golden Grand Prix to be staged on the 29th of April later this year.
Last year, the issue of use of national stadium by the church over the sport event was topical.
Gaborone United financier, Nikolas Zakhem was furious and told local journalists during a press conference that where he comes from the stadia are used for sport not for church. The BNSC, who manage the sport stadia, explained that their facilities can be used for any event and are not only restricted to sport.
“Soul Fill Up with Franco” 2023 event has since moved to Royal Aria Stadium.
“The reasons for the change of venue emanated due to the international Athletics competition (Botswana Golden Grand Prix) to be held on the 29th April, 2023. The preparations of such an international athletics event included among others the renovation of the stadium starting from removal and reinstallation of the track which needs the stadium to hold no event to allow a proper renovation process,” read Soul Fill Up statement from Bafana Pheto.
The organisers of the Golden Grand Prix, Golden Door Sports Academy are happy that the facility has been reserved for them to host the event.
“We are happy that the stadium has been reserved and is going under renovation so that it will remain compliant for the coming athletics event to take place,” said Calistus Kolantsho the event spokesperson.
Kolantsho said it is a good development for the facility owners to have acceded to have moved the festival because the track needs more time to be renovated. “The world athletics officials came to Botswana last year to inspect the facility and they were happy that the facility is good to host such big event. In April, when the competitions is staged, the facility must be in good shape and the officials who inspected it should not be disappointed.”
His wish is for the creative industry to have a venue that they can use without having to fight for one facility. He said Botswana is privileged to have been given rights to host the Golden prix because it will be the first country in southern Africa to host such an event.
On the preparations he said they are going well and the excitement is all over among the athletes and athletics enthusiasts. “Local athletes are looking forward to compete with international top athletes who are also their role models,” he said.
“The challenge is lack of resources and we are appealing for corporate companies to come on board and support the course. “We need financial sponsors and partners who can assist us in kind,” he said.
Golden Door Sports Academy promised to release the list of international athletes who will grace the occasion once all logistics are done.
